Emerging Disease Flashcards
1
Q
What are the reasons for the appearance of emerging diseases?
A
- generic mutation/ diversification within pathogens
- acquisition of drug resistance by pathogens
- climate change resulting in the altered distribution of pathogen vectors (bugs animals move North as it gets hotter)
- human behaviour, reduced vaccine, increased disease transmission through travel
2
Q
Define endemic
A
- the constant presence and/or the usual prevelance of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area
3
Q
Define epidemic
A
- an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normal expected in that population in that area
4
Q
Define pandemic
A
- an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people
5
Q
Define outbreak
A
- the constant presence and/or the usual prevelance of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a limited geographic area
- same as endemic but more limited geographic area
6
Q
Define cluster
A
- refers to an aggregation of cases grouped in place and time that are suspected to be greater than the number expected, even though the expected number may not be known
7
Q
Define sporadic
A
- a disease that occurs infrequently and irregularly
8
Q
What does the H in a virus stand for?
A
- HA, hemaglutinin
- allows the virus to bind to host cells
- some HA have specificities for molecules expresses by airway cells
9
Q
What does the N in a virus stand for?
A
- NA, neuraminidase
- allows for the release of viruses from the cell surface molecules
- important for entry into the cells and the spread of progeny viruses
10
Q
Define antigenic drift
A
- 2 different strains of influenza virus simultaneously infect the same cell in your body and undergoes reassortment
11
Q
Define antigenic shift
A
- a sudden and major change in the surface antigens of a virus
